Fostering Peace

 Stopping terrorism and fostering peace and harmony is a massive, long-term goal that requires efforts on multiple levels—from governments and international bodies to communities and individuals. Here’s a comprehensive look at what can be done:

 1. Address Root Causes

Terrorism often stems from a mix of:

• Poverty
• Lack of education
• Political marginalization
• Religious/ethnic discrimination
• Loss of identity or purpose

What can be done:

• Invest in education and job creation, especially in high-risk areas.
• Promote inclusive governance and fair resource distribution.
• Tackle corruption and injustice, which can fuel radicalization.

2. Strengthen Counter-Terrorism Measures (Without Human Rights Violations)

• Modernize intelligence and surveillance using technology like AI and data analytics.
• Improve coordination between nations to track and neutralize global terror networks.
• Enforce strict cyber laws to monitor online radicalization and extremist propaganda.
• De-radicalization programs for individuals returning from extremist groups.

3. Promote Interfaith & Cross-Cultural Dialogue

• Hate thrives in silence and segregation.
• Organize community forums, youth exchanges, and joint celebrations.
• Promote stories of shared values and cooperation between communities.
• Empower faith leaders and influencers to speak against violence and misinformation.

4. Educate Early – Schools and Families

• Introduce peace education in school curricula.
• Encourage critical thinking, tolerance, and digital literacy.
• Foster empathy and conflict-resolution skills from an early age.

5. Strengthen Community Vigilance & Resilience

• Train communities to identify early signs of radicalization.
• Encourage people to report suspicious behavior without fear.
• Support local NGOs and youth groups that work on community development and peacebuilding.

6. Regulate Hate Speech & Propaganda Online

• Hold social media platforms accountable for amplifying hate speech and extremist content.
• Improve international collaboration for tracking terror funding and propaganda.
• Promote positive narratives and counter-messaging.

7. Psychological and Social Support

Many individuals drawn to terrorism have experienced trauma, alienation, or abuse.

Provide mental health services, rehabilitation, and safe spaces to process identity and belonging.

🇮🇳 In the Indian Context:

Promote unity in diversity: “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas” should be more than a slogan.

Focus on border security, deradicalization of youth in vulnerable regions like Kashmir, and transparent justice systems.

What You Can Do:

• Spread kindness and understanding in your circle.
• Speak up against hate speech—online or offline.
• Support organizations and movements that work for peace.
• Educate yourself and others on cultures, religions, and the value of coexistence.

🧠 1. Stay Informed – But Responsibly

Follow verified news sources to stay updated, but avoid amplifying unverified or sensational content.

Be aware of how misinformation spreads during such events and help counter it with facts.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 2. Support the Victims and Their Families

Contribute to verified fundraisers or initiatives supporting victims and their families.

Send messages of solidarity or participate in memorials — these gestures matter more than we think.

🕊️ 3. Promote Peace and Unity

Speak up against hate speech, xenophobia, and division — both online and in real life.

Encourage inclusive dialogue in your community or workplace.

🧩 4. Educate Yourself and Others

Understand root causes of radicalization — often it's a mix of socio-economic, psychological, and ideological factors.

Organize or join workshops, seminars, or discussions on peacebuilding and counter-extremism.

🌐 5. Use Your Online Presence Wisely

Amplify voices of peace, resilience, and factual information.

Report extremist content or hate speech on social media platforms.

🤝 6. Volunteer or Collaborate

Work with NGOs or community organizations involved in conflict resolution, trauma support, or youth engagement.

Even if you can only spare a few hours a month, your effort counts.

🗳️ 7. Participate in Democracy

Vote for leaders and policies that promote harmony, justice, and strong national security with respect for human rights.

Engage with policymakers through petitions, letters, or peaceful advocacy.

🧘 8. Take Care of Yourself

Terror incidents can be mentally and emotionally exhausting — it's okay to feel overwhelmed.

Talk to someone. Don’t bottle it up. Your mental well-being is key to taking any positive action.

Would you like suggestions for any organizations or causes you could directly support or volunteer with?

This is the thought going on in people's mind.  Hate never destroys hate. 

The Pahalgam attack was carried out by religious extremists, same as the lynchings of countless innocents across the world. What is the common factor here? Religious extremism. Not Hinduism or Islam.

If you are a fan of the Hindu fundamentalists currently running our country, you are part of the problem. If you support Israel's genocide of Palestinians, you are part of the problem. If you support Erdogan's Islamisation of Turkiye, you are part of the problem. You just don't carry a gun and go about shooting people, that's all.

Remember that before pointing fingers. As Swami Vivekananda said, when you are pointing a finger, three are pointing back at you.

Good point by Rajdeep. Kashmir is 99% Muslim NOW. But it was 100% Hindu, Buddhist, & Jain 2000 years ago. 0% Muslim even 1000 years ago.  It was 70% Hindu in 1500s. It was at least 10% Sikhs during partition. Even 40 years ago it was 30% Hindu. What happened to our dharmics now?

Pahalgam attack

 

​On April 22, 2025, a tragic terrorist attack occurred in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of 28 civilians and injuries to at least 20 others. The attack was carried out by seven militants affiliated with The Resistance Front, an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen. 

Couple of month before too there were attacks, but it was not of this kind in number and the way of brutality. ​

Casualties

Among the 28 deceased were 24 Indian tourists from various states, two local residents from Jammu and Kashmir, and two foreign nationals from Nepal and the United Arab Emirates. The victims included individuals from Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, Gujarat, Haryana, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh. Notably, a 26-year-old Indian Navy officer and an Intelligence Bureau official were among those killed. ​

Wikipedia

Identified Deceased

Here are some of the identified victims:

• Sushil Nathyal – Indore, Madhya Pradesh
• Syed Adil Hussain Shah – Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir (local resident)
• Hemant Suhas Joshi – Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Vinay Narwal – Karnal, Haryana
• Atul Shrikant Moni – Dombivli, Maharashtra
• Neeraj Udhawani – Uttarakhand
• Bitan Adhikari – Kolkata, West Bengal
• Sudeep Neupane – Batwali Ropandi, Nepal
• Shubham Dwivedi – Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
• Prashant Kumar Satpathi – Odisha
• Manish Ranjan – Bihar (Excise Inspector)
• N. Ramachandra – Kochi, Kerala
• Sanjay Lakshman – Thane, Maharashtra
• Dinesh Agarwal – Chandigarh
• Sameer Guhar – Kolkata, West Bengal
• Dileep Dasali – Panvel, Maharashtra
• J. Sachandra Moli – Bangalore, Karnataka
• Madhusudan Somisetty – Karnataka
• Santosh Jaghda – Pune, Maharashtra
• Manju Nath Rao – Karnataka
• Kastuba Ganvotav – Pune, Maharashtra
• Bharat Bhushan – Bengaluru, Karnataka
• Sumit Parmar – Bhavnagar, Gujarat
• Yatesh Parmar – Bhavnagar, Gujarat
• Tagahelingy – Zero, Arunachal Pradesh (Indian Air Force employee)
• Shaileshbhai H. Himatbhai Kalathia – Surat, Gujarat​

There is hurt, pain and anger amongst every Indian. Many young lives, some newly weds, some on family vacation, all unarmed, were killed by armed and evil militants. Those killed include:

1. Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, just 26, A Newlywed Naval Officer on his honeymoon.

2. Shubham Dwivedi, a businessman from Kanpur, married for just over two months and on a honeymoon trip with his wife.

3. Bharat Bhushan, a resident of Bengaluru, was on vacation with his wife, Sujata, and their 3-year-old son.

4. Manjunath Rao, a realtor from Karnataka's Shivamogga district, was enjoying a family vacation in Kashmir with his wife and son.

5. Manish Ranjan, an intelligence bureau officer, Serving the Nation, was killed.

6. Corporal Tage Hailyang of the Indian Air Force, hailing from Ziro in Arunachal Pradesh, was among the victims.

But it is business usual for BCCI. We are back to IPL. The flags are back. Cricket is back. ‘The show must go on’ is nothing but an excuse to continue the business. Shah Rukh khan and Ajay Devgan are back to encouraging you to have Vimal. The Betting apps led by Dream11 are back.

I can still understand individuals making a living. But BCCI is different. It represents India. It works for India. Couldn’t it have taken a step back? Just for a day? Show some heart? Some conviction?

We are a sick nation. Our patriotism stops where business starts. Our humanity ends when money talks. From buying Chinese goods to enjoying IPL.

Attack Details

The militants, dressed in camouflage uniforms and armed with M4 carbines and AK-47s, attacked tourists in the Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam. Survivors reported that the assailants demanded victims recite Islamic verses and targeted those who could not comply. The attackers used body cameras to record the assault, a tactic associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba propaganda. Following the attack, Indian security forces launched a joint operation to apprehend the perpetrators. ​

This incident has been condemned internationally, with leaders from various countries expressing solidarity with India. The Indian government has taken several measures in response, including closing a key land border with Pakistan and suspending the Indus Waters Treaty. ​

It's a day of mourning for India. Everyone is shocked beyond belief. The news from Pahalgam yesterday was devastating. 

The disputed region of Jammu & Kashmir has seen something that's horrific. What began as an ordinary afternoon of leisure was shattered by the sudden crackle of automatic gunfire. People were asked to recite an Islamic verse and those who couldn't do that came under the lens of being shot. There were newly married young couples, families and others who were killed shot dead. 

How do we know?

It happened in Baisaran which is colloquially known as 'Mini Switzerland' due to its scenic landscape and panoramic vistas.  It is located approximately six kilometres uphill from Pahalgam. The affected area is also enroute to the pilgrimage route of Amarnath Yatra. 

This incident is the most horrific one in the recent years. The last few years have seen many tourists and that has been a huge step towards rebuilding economic growth in the State. 

Many countries are standing tall in this hour of grief with India. Does humanity exist in such people? 

How do you think security measures can be strengthened to prevent such incidents in the future?

Gold

 

The gold may remains as dead money generations after generations but today Gold prices have crossed Rupees 1 Laks for 10 grams which is an all time high in India, driven by uncertainties in Global markets. 

 Question is... husband can still sell the car.. will the wife ever sell the jewellery. 

Anything we buy for consumption can never be considered an asset. Be it house to live or Jewellery to wear.

These has more emotional value than market value.

Investment should never carry any emotional attachment

Gold . Anything more than a consumption is asset to sell based on need. 

Remember - middle class and lower middle class !! Gold is always a temp cash flow supporter . You should visit Muthoot gold loan . . 

 In many households I have seen, the last resort that helps the family is gold that woman purchase. For most of them family comes before Gold.

 Whether it be children's higher education or marriage or emergency fund.

Gold in case of an emergency has absolute liquidity. But it will fetch poor money and most would go for interest rather not capital.

Most lenders against gold the objective is to take the jewel at cheap price

That's a lousy mistake people make. As our objective is to spread fin literate we should never advocate this idea of gold for emergency. 

Unless there is absolute necessary and no other option. And even then sell the jewellery take the money rather not pledge it at 18-24%

Actually the interest rates are 9-10% and even less if u take it under agri scheme. If you borrow against gold and make a return of even 15%, that’s your arbitrage. And I’ve done this so I can vouch for the whole thing! It works even better if you invest in real estate but even short term opportunities work well

 Also I am a woman so there goes the reply to the emotional aspect. The fundamentals remain same. Your assets should help make you more money rather than just appreciating!

This could be misleadng. 

Gold and cars serve different financial roles. One is an investment (gold) other is advance pmt for utility (car) Gold is meant to aopreciate while cars are depreciating asset Gold has no utility but strong investment potential; cars offer utility but lose value. So, comparing them as investments isn’t really right.

This data can be used to put out understanding difference in investments

We can however compare buying cars with using Uber

"Jeeves in the Offing" ~ P. G. Wodehouse (21 of 25)

An amazing gift from the book collector Vineeth Abraham Sir, who has more than 30k books at his home. An apt one as this is the author we are set to discuss in our CBC meet this week.  "Jeeves in the Offing" by P. G. Wodehouse, published in 1960 is a classic comedic novel featuring the lovable Bertie Wooster and his brilliant valet Jeeves.

Bertie Wooster is once again dragged into a tangle of romantic misunderstandings, social chaos, and mistaken identities—this time without Jeeves by his side (at least initially), as Jeeves is off on vacation.

Bertie heads to Aunt Dahlia’s country house, Brinkley Court, where an assortment of eccentric characters have gathered:

• Bobbie Wickham – a spirited and mischievous young woman
• Sir Roderick Glossop – the famed nerve specialist
• Aunt Dahlia – Bertie’s formidable but well-meaning aunt
• Kipper Herring – Bertie’s old school friend and journalist
• Percy Gorringe – a soppy poet with romantic aspirations

Through a whirlwind of absurd scenarios—stolen silverware, awkward engagements, and ill-advised love letters—Bertie tries (and fails) to manage the chaos on his own. Of course, Jeeves eventually returns, just in time to straighten everything out with his usual flair and brilliance.

With a narrative style of British upper-class society satire book has Romantic farce,Clever wordplay and witty dialogue. The contrast between chaos (Bertie) and calm intelligence (Jeeves) is the key. 

The name Jeeves, if memory serves me right, is that of a county cricketer of the time. The name Jeeves was inspired by Percy Jeeves the Warwickshire all rounder. P.G Woodhouse was a cricket buff and has around 94 books to his credit. 

Rekhachithram

 “Rekhachithram” toplining Asif Ali is Jofin T Chacko’s sophomore directorial after the Mammootty starrer “The Priest”. Jofin has picked up an investigative thriller this time scripted by John Manthrickal and Ramu Sunil. 

Asif Ali plays Vivek, an SHO, who was briefly suspended from service for gambling online while on duty. As a punishment, he is transferred to Malakkapara police station in the forest area around Chalakkudy. On the day of his joining, Rajendran (Siddique) shots himself dead in the Malakkapra forests after disclosing online the details of a crime he committed 40 years ago in that area when the filming of Bharathan classic “Kaathodu Kaathoram” was in progress. Vivek rushes to the spot on getting the news and based on Rajendran’s revelations unearths a 40-year-old skeleton from the ground. It is for Vivek and the cops now to find out whose skeleton it is and how did the person die. 

The narrative starts with an engaging premise and gets you directly into the investigation without wasting much time on the peripherals. There is a method and logic to the manner in which Kerala Police investigate the case and a multitude of people from the past enter into the narrative – some still alive, some long dead. The nostalgia associated with the movies of the 80’s is invoked to perfection once again and the audience is literally transported to the sets of the classic with AI being used generously to create stalwarts like Bharathan and John Paul. The involvement of director Kamal and actor Jagadeesh as themselves and the clever characterizations of Indrans and T G Ravi add further depth to the narrative. It is an extremely thought out, detailed and layered script that hardly leaves any questions and the writing team can definitely take a bow. 

Jofin had proved his mettle as an excellent technician with his directorial debut and he soars higher here with his firm grip on the narrative. With excellent support provided by the cinematographer (Appu Prabhakar) and the editor (Shameer Muhammed), Jofin ensures that the audience attention is firmly captured and retained till the end credits roll. Mujeeb Majeed works up an excellent soundtrack with the background score elevating the scenes. The production design, make-up and costumes departments deserve a standing ovation for the excellent recreation of the 80’s. 

The ensemble cast led by Asif Ali delivers big time, and it is an absolute pleasure watching Nishant Sagar and Manoj K Jayan portray solid characters. It is good to see “Nakhakshathangal” fame Saleema on screen after long and among the rest of the cast, Zarin Shihab, Unni Lalu, and Megha Thomas are particularly impressive. 

The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared ~ Jonas Jonasson (20 of 25)

 

I don’t think I’ve ever read a book where the title so sums up what the book is all about. The story is set in Sweden and is about the life and adventures of our hero Allan Karlsson who on his hundredth birthday climbed out the window of his old people’s home and disappeared. his retirement home in Malmköping is planning to throw a party. Allan is alert despite his age, but is not interested in attending the party. The author makes you empathise and identify with the protagonist, in spite of everything. That is very clever.

He walks to the nearest bus station, intending to travel as far as his available cash will allow. While at the bus station, he meets an angry young man with a suitcase which he cannot bring into the toilet as it is too large, so he desperately asks Allan to take care of it.

However, Allan's bus soon arrives and Allan boards it, taking the suitcase with him onto the bus. The suitcase turns out to be stuffed with drug dealers' money; Karlsson is chased by the dealers trying to recover their lost cash. Meanwhile, the retirement home calls the police to search for Allan. The police have no knowledge of the money and are only looking for Allan, who is known to be somewhat absent-minded. He gets caught up in criminal activity by accident and ends up, unknown to him, being hunted by both the police and a gang of murderous criminals.

He then sets out on a journey with the suitcase which contain a fortune that was paid over to a group of bikers by a Russian organized crime syndicate as payment for a drug deal. Allan manages to outwit one of the criminals with a help of a thief; the criminal freezes to death in a cooler and his body is later thrown into a container heading for Ethiopia. During his escape, Allan meets a few other people, including one who owned an elephant. Allan then outwits another gang member by getting the elephant to crush him to death; the gang member's body is inadvertently sent to Latvia in the boot of a Ford Mustang.

There then follows an unlikely but very amusing story of drug dealers trying to track the money down and the police starting a nationwide hunt for Allan after a warrant is issued for a triple murder. As the book progresses, Allan collects a motley crew of really interesting but flawed characters plus an elephant, that somehow all manage to stay one step ahead of the police for much of the book. 

The book is also interspersed with flashbacks of Allan’s life and how he inadvertently managed to be in the right place at the wrong time and helped influence a number of events and changed the course of twentieth century history. In his youth, Karlsson had already used up each one of his nine lives, at one stage daring to suggest to Stalin that he might look better with his moustache shaved off!

This book is pure entertainment as far as I am concerned. I wouldn’t say I was finding myself exploding into fits of hysterical laughter as I read the book. However, I found myself smiling as I turned the pages and couldn’t help but chuckle at some of the situations that Allan and his group of friends found themselves in. A great feel good book that I would recommend to anybody.

I find the book very much like The Good Soldier Svejk, the satirical Czech novel by Jaroslav Hasek. So says Harish from CBC.

The first thing that strikes is the huge difference the hundred year old man has with the protagonist of our previous BOTM. This protagonist has more in common with Josef Svejk, a seemingly simple minded soldier who manages to navigate dire situations with a nonchalant attitude. 

The first six chapters set the tone and structure of the novel. Only at the end of the second chapter, when the suitcase appears, do we get a proper glimpse of the dark humor and overall rhythm. 

The book is written in very simplistic prose, but it's perfect for reflecting the attitude of the titular protagonist. The dead pan style of humor also compliments it very well. 

The narrative flits between the past and present of the protagonist and begins from the time of his childhood. I think his father's tragic but hilarious end is the reason for his apathy towards politics and ideological beliefs. 

The author is successful in weaving history into the plot in an irreverent style. I loved how Allan thought Karl Marx (Uncle Carl) was a friend of his father in Russia. Also loved the author showing how history creeps into normal lives. Like questioning the protagonist's ancestry. 

The side characters are two dimensional described with broad strokes, but the overall hilarity makes the portrayal effective. 

I am interested to see how three aspects of the protagonist work out in the plot. 

1. His apathy 

2. Him being sterilised. (It's like cutting him from his past and future and making him a loose cannon in present.)

3. His expertise in explosives.

The author makes you empathise and identify with the protagonist, in spite of everything. That is very clever.

Chapters 7 to 14...

This portion of the novel continues the plot with amplified humor and general mayhem. It is in these parts that I felt the book's resemblance with Forrest Gump is evident. 

This portion also opens several questions to the reader. Is the protagonist repeating a cycle in all his escapades? He seems to be essentially climbing out of a window and just moving to another adventure. The lack of remorse for his deeds and a total apathy he displays should be noted.

"Was it time to cut his ties with the past and move on? Most definitely." This is a defining quote of the book because while this particular thought happens in flashback, he continues to do the same thing even in the present. 

A general lack of plans seems to be the recurring motif and the past incidents reflect it. 

Many other minor characters get their own backstories which while not related directly to the plot, complement it very well.

All these threads are worked out ingeniously.

Our reading schedule was:

As there are 30 chapters in the book, we will keep our milestones as below: 

Chapters 1 to 6 - 19/4

7 to 14-   26/4

15 to 21 -3/5

22 to 29 and epilogue- 10/5

Chat GPT generated cover for BOTIM. Based on this line from the book: "The Beauty liked to sit on the veranda steps with Benny and Buster, with a cup of coffee and some doggy treats for the dog. They looked on while Allan and Sonya bonded in the yard, and Julius fished for perch down at the lake."

Chat GPT  knew the lady had red hair. 😆 it was not mentioned.

The first and 29th chapter is the same. The book moves forward, and parallely takes us into the past life, and on 29th chapter both lives meet. 

This was my first purchase from the mathrubumi book store newly opened in Kakkanad. 

A quote from it,typical of the old man's thinking..

"Revenge is not a good thing. It is like politics: one thing always leads to another until bad has become worse and worse has become worst." He disliked Politics and priests. Police too, but then they became friend. 

When the strick mattren in the Old age home wanted everyone to abide by the time for all activities, he asked her should shitting also be timed, which made them dislike each other. 

The Bullet Journal Method ~ Ryder Carroll (19 of 25)

The Bullet Journal Method (often called BuJo) is a flexible, analog system for organizing your thoughts, tasks, and goals—all in one notebook. It was created by Ryder Carroll, a digital product designer, as a way to stay focused, productive, and intentional. Mindfulness meets productivity to help you design a life you want to live. 

The method consist of two parts namely, systems and practice. The book is divided into five parts viz:

1. The Preparation - Your intentions are the intersection of what and why. Leading an intentional life is all about Keeping your actions aligned with your belief. This part's focus is on why traditional productivity tools fail, and how the Bullet Journal helps you align tasks with meaning.
2. The System - This covers the Core Components mentioned below. The practical "how-to"—covering the nuts and bolts of setting up your Bullet Journal.
3. The Practice - This is where journaling becomes more than task-tracking—it’s about intention and growth. Focus is how to reflect meaningfully, personalize your system, and live with more clarity and purpose. The real power of the Bullet Journal is in what you learn from what you’ve written.
4. The Art - This is the deeper philosophical wrap-up and mindset shift that BuJo encourages. Living a mindful life, not just a productive one. By being present, bringing in clarity through writing, with focus. It introduces the concept of custom collection. 
5. The End

The Bullet Journal is:

• A to-do list
• A planner
• A goal tracker
• A diary
• A mindfulness tool

→ All in one notebook, powered by bullets, symbols, and rapid logging. Keeping in touch is what notebooks are all about. and that is all we need with a pen to follow BuJo. 

The books begins with asking us to take an inventory of :

• What we are working on
• What we should be working on - our responsibility or needs and
• What we want to work on - our goals.

Core Components:

1. Index

The table of contents of your journal.

You update it as you add pages.

2. Future Log

A place to jot down events, deadlines, or goals for the upcoming months.

3. Monthly Log

A calendar view of the month and a task list for things you want to do.

4. Daily Log

Your space to write tasks, events, and notes for the day.

5. Collections

Custom pages to track habits, books to read, savings goals, etc.

Bullet Symbols (The “Bullets”):

• = Task

X = Completed task

> = Task migrated to future

< = Task scheduled

○ = Event

— = Note

You can customize symbols to suit your style!

 

It works because:

• It clears mental clutter
• Keeps everything in one place
• Helps you prioritize what actually matters
• Mindful, analog (less screen time!)
• Easily adaptable—minimalist or artsy, your choice

Example:

March 17

• Submit college assignment

○ Group meeting at 4 PM

— Felt productive today. Good rhythm.

> Email prof about internship

You don’t need to make it perfect or artistic. 

You can add:

• Mood trackers
• Fitness logs
• Meal planners
• Study schedules
• Expense trackers

It shows you what you care about, where your energy is going, and what you want to change.

Reflection + customization = the secret sauce of BuJo.

The Bullet Journal isn’t just about getting things done—it’s about becoming someone worth being.

You’re not just tracking your life. You’re crafting it. 

BuJo's interpretations can be diverse and inventive. It's not about how your journal looks, but its about how it makes you feel and how effective it is. Like the wizard of Oz. 

You've always had the power, my dear. You just had to learn it for yourself.” – Glinda the Good Witch

That quote from the movie is exactly what the Bullet Journal is about. 

In The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy spends the whole story trying to get home, seeking answers and direction from external sources—The Wizard, the Yellow Brick Road, etc.

In the end, she learns she had the power within her all along—she just needed guidance to realize it.

That’s the core message of the Bullet Journal Method.

It indeed helps us order our chaos one piece at a time. If our lives are oceans, then our days are waves; some big, some small. BuJo is the shore, carved by both. 

A Little Book Of Happiness ~ Ruskin Bond (18 of 2025)

 

Most of us are chasing happiness like it’s something we have to earn. We think we’ll find it in a promotion, a trip, a relationship, or some perfect version of ourselves that’s always just out of reach. But what if you’ve been looking in the wrong direction?

Ruskin Bond, with his quiet brilliance, invites you to stop running.

In A Little Book of Happiness, he doesn’t give you a formula or a list of goals. Instead, he offers you something far more valuable—a way of seeing. A way of remembering that happiness isn’t loud, isn’t rare, and isn’t far away. It’s already here, sitting quietly beside your cup of tea, in the rain against your window, in the voice of someone you love.

Here are five gentle but profound lessons from this small book that could quietly change the way you live:

1. Stop chasing happiness—it’s already beside you.

You don’t need to escape to the mountains to feel peace. You don’t need a new version of yourself to deserve joy. Bond urges you to pause—to truly look at your everyday life. The morning sunlight through your window, the smell of something baking, the smile of your child—these are happiness. You’re not missing out. You’re just not noticing.

Bond writes, “Happiness is a butterfly, which, when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp—but which, if you sit down quietly, may alight upon you.” The truth is, the more you chase, the more you overlook what’s right in front of you.

2. Let nature soften your edges.

You don’t need a screen. You need a sky. Bond shows us that one of the simplest ways to reconnect with joy is to reconnect with the natural world. Go outside. Watch the clouds shift. Listen to birdsong without rushing back inside. Nature doesn’t demand anything from you—and that’s why it heals.

He writes about trees like old friends, the wind like a gentle reminder. And it’s in those moments—leaning on a balcony railing, watching leaves dance—that your body starts to unclench. Let nature remind you that you’re alive, not just surviving.

3. Stop fearing silence—your soul needs it.

We fill our lives with noise to drown out the discomfort of being alone. But solitude isn’t the enemy. In fact, Bond argues, it’s where clarity begins. In silence, you finally hear what you’ve been ignoring: your thoughts, your longings, your truth.

“When I’m alone, I’m not lonely,” Bond reflects. “I’m in the best company I know.” Start small. A five-minute break from scrolling. A quiet walk without music. Slowly, you’ll notice the beauty in your own company. And from that stillness, happiness begins to bloom.

4. Happiness often hides in your memories—go visit them.

We’re so busy chasing what’s next that we forget to cherish what was. Bond draws joy from little things: the sound of his grandfather’s laughter, a letter he once received, a monsoon afternoon from decades ago. Your memories are a personal treasure chest—open them. Revisit an old song. Reread a childhood book. Remember a moment when you felt light.

Nostalgia isn’t weakness—it’s a doorway back to your essence. When life feels heavy, let your own story remind you of who you are.

5. You don’t need more. You just need to feel more.

Bond doesn’t tell you to fix your life. He tells you to feel it. To stop rushing through it. The problem isn’t that you’re not happy—the problem is that you’ve stopped noticing when you are. He writes, “It is the simple things that bring the most happiness: a walk in the woods, a chat with a friend, a good book, a steaming cup of tea.”

Start paying attention to those moments when your heart softens. That’s it. That’s all happiness is—a series of soft, honest, unforced moments.

In a world that measures worth by noise, speed, and accomplishment, this book will slow your heartbeat. It will remind you that you don’t have to become someone else to feel joy. You just have to be here.

So if you’ve been feeling tired, numb, or like life is slipping past you—sit with this book. Let Bond’s wisdom wrap around you like an old sweater. He doesn’t promise to fix your life. But he’ll help you fall in love with it again.

And that, perhaps, is the truest happiness there is.

Madurai Rameswaram Danushkodi

 

Got Madurai Sungudi cotton sarees from a local shop on the way to rameshwaram

Madurai palace… famous for Bombay movie song … 'Kehna Hi Kya'

Madurai - Rameswaram- Danushkodi a place you can never have enough of irrespective of the sun, rain or wind. 

Lessons Learnt from this visit. Two days are enough for complete Darshan.

Day1: Start at 3.30, brush your teeth and go to the temple.  Have bath from the 21 well water with entry from North Nada and get out from South Nada where there is place to change dress. Then do Temple Darshan. Better leave Chappell at Hotel. Have rest, go to Danush Kodi via Vibishan temple, when returning visit Abdul Kalam museum,  Hanuman temple, Papanpalam

Day 2: 4 am Madurai Meenakshi Temple Dharshan

Serendipitous Saturday

A personal home collection of 30k amazing books 📚 by Vineeth Abraham Sir. Just Amazing

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A Saturday well spend. 💕🙏👍Thanks a lot for a great Saturday tour of the temple of Wisdom Vineeth Sir🙏@vineeth1963 a home library with amazing collections of  around 30k books some over 100 years old. Two sided, combo of three, same book with different covers...Even a librarywouldnot be so enriching..More pics to follow..

Interesting discovery today  Dr. Achapilla Joseph was my mothers maternity doctor.  Blessed to have discovered my doctor. Unfortunately she passed away in 2022. The Hindu paper mentioned her as Veteran Gynac ..Grateful I was delivered by this Doc!! 😊

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